ACI is proud to be part of the Gotham Shield Community Reception Center radiation disaster exercise conducted by the Middlesex County Department of Health, ACI as well as other state, county and local officials held on November 14th. Gotham Shield is a FEMA led exercise to evaluate how the community prevents, protects and recovers from the effects of an Improvised Nuclear Device event. The exercise took place in Edison and was geared towards people with access and functional needs. Approximately 50 attended this day long event. A discussion was held afterwards on ways to assist each other in the event of a disaster.

ACI was honored to host Roland Pierson, a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran during the Vietnam War. Roland, who served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 and was wounded, give a presentation on his experiences during and after the War. Roland's personal accounts were humorous and heartfelt. Thank you to Roland and all the veterans for your service!

ACI would like to thank Sereena Singh and Marwa Elgendy of the NJ Healthcare Talent Network for its informative presentation on Monday, October 30th. The Health Care Talent Network helps those seeking careers in the health care field, through training and apprenticeships. Those who receive services through DVRS or One Stop Career Centers are eligible. The Health Care Talent Network is a program of Rutgers University's School of Management and Labor Relations. For more information, contact ACI.

This Tuesday, November 7th, NJ voters will go to the polls to elect our state’s 56th governor. “New Jerseyans will make an important choice this election day, and we have been working to ensure that voters with disabilities are well informed about the candidates and are able to participant fully in the election process,” says Carole Tonks, Executive Director of the Alliance Center for Independence (ACI).

Fortified Roofing, local roofers from Cherry Hill, recently started a new local project with the goal to promote various non-governmental and non-profit organizations from New Jersey. They will be conducting many short interviews with these organizations so more people could find out about their existence and work.

We are very grateful that Fortified Roofing decided to showcase ACI and what we do for people with disabilities! Visit their website at the link below to read the interview.

On the evening of Oct 27th, the ACI family had a fun night of laughs and screams at the Spooktober: Halloween Throwback Party! Attendees participated in a candy corn scavenger hunt, a game of Halloween themed “Who Am I”, and a classic vampire costume contest. The night’s main event was a viewing of the 1931 classic Dracula staring Bela Lugosi. Happy Halloween Everyone!

ACI would like to thank Karen Minus, MaryAnne Kokidis and Stephanie Paneca-Navarro from Amerigroup for their informative and entertaining workshop on resume writing, interview skills and appropriate workplace attire. The event was held on October 17th and was part of ACI's efforts to recognize October as National Disability Awareness Employment Month!